I stay home and pray

There is a gentle thunderstorm rumbling through our neighborhood.  Now, there is a sound of spring here in the Midwest.  I love the sound of thunder and rain when it is not severe... not so much when there is a tornado watch or warning.  :)

Christopher is in the midst of midterms with a two hour physics exam last night.  This particular class is known as THE flunkout course at the University so he was quite relieved when it was over and he thinks he did well.  His test ended late and he had to finish a computer program so he stayed with a friend on campus.  Thus, I got to sleep in this morning!  Rain and sleep... now, that is a wonderful combination.

Stephanie informed me yesterday that in the midst of all that work on the house, having their house up for sale, homeschooling, and recent family illness... she is driving to North Carolina to attend Sally Clarkson's conference this weekend.

Half of me is jealous but the Mom half of me asked her if she is crazy.  However, I can see how getting away by herself and spending time with our dear friends and other likeminded women is worth a six month pregnant woman making the trip.  (Today is their anniversary... have a happy day!)

So... I will be praying for both my kids as they drive.  Christopher and a homeschool pal (who is also at the University) are driving to Florida this weekend for Spring Break.  He was offered a free stay at a time share condo owned by another friend's family (while a group of guys will be there, family will be close by) so his only cost will be gas and food (he's taking a cooler full of groceries).

Sigh... once again the Mom part of me wants to say don't go but the side which remembers what it is like to be young knows it is exactly the kind of adventure one remembers later in years.  They are looking forward to warm weather on a beach and a trip to Epcot (these are science and engineering students). Remind me not to watch Where the Boys Are while he is in Florida. I can hear Connie Francis singing already...  :)

So, I pray... lots.

Hubby arrived home last night after spending time in his hometown near Chicago.  He combined a visit with his sister with business for his former fraternity (he is on their alumni board).  It is good for him to have these outside interests and when he is feeling well enough to make such trips.

He is leaving for Indianapolis after being offered a ride and tickets with his friend from the fraternity alumni board.  It is quite amusing as his friend was his "big brother" when they were both in the fraternity (when the earth was yet young, hehehe).  He had tickets to all of the games at the Big Ten tournament (did I mention he was financially successful?) so he's taking hubby with him to today's games.  His wife wasn't interested in three days of travel and basketball games.  I can understand...

I just stay home and pray for all their safe travels... and catch up on a mountain of laundry.  Isn't it FlyLady who is famous for saying "nothing says love like clean underwear"?

I'm still getting tired quite easily but now able to accomplish work a little at a time.  Also, I'm tweaking decorations in my home as this new season is anticipated.  When I took the teapots from their cake stands in the china cabinet, I replaced them with two smaller teapots and this...

This casserole dish is part of the turn-of-the-century Victorian china I inherited from my mother-in-law when she passed away in the 1990s.  This china was the only thing I particularly asked for of all her things (hubby chose the furniture he wanted).

Table set for Easter 2008

This china always made me happy with the springtime flowers when it was used at my in-law's each Easter.  I use it at Easter and for other spring meals now.  It had originally belonged to my mother-in-law's mother.  I've always thought it interesting that Victorian dish sets usually have between eight and twelve place settings... larger families back then or more given to hospitality... or both?

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